My Bride and I pride ourselves on our homemade chili, a thick and delicious admixture featuring cubes of sirloin steak, smoked chili powder, corn, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, and eleven other ingredients which I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you! It is a rib-sticking variation of a Texas 5-alarm dish that we don't make quite so hot; my bald head would otherwise erupt with sheets of perspiration.

On the other end of the scale is Cincinnati chili, a delicacy known in and around our town. It is served over spaghetti, hot dogs ("coneys"), or by itself in a bowl. Like our Texas chili, it is best served with a generous serving of shredded cheddar cheese, a big dollop of sour cream, and a few shots of Tabasco. Several of the "secret" ingredients include chocolate, cinnamon, and allspice. It is almost a watery liquid, but is, at once, delicious and addictive. Two local chain restaurants, Skyline (pronounced jokingly as Sk-Leany) and Goldstar, serve millions of gallons each year. If you're ever in "Porkopolis", it is a must-try. Or give us a call and join us for some Texas chili, pardner! (Though my better half has mastered a perfect simulacrum of Skyline's version if you insist.) NOM-NOM-NOM!

Ours is not in a glass jar, its in a plastic squeezy container and states on the front of it do not refrigerate.

Incredible levels of salt in Marmite (& Vegemite!!!) means that the product does not require refridgeration IF you use a clean utensil.

Vegemite runs 7% Sodium, (FYI Bonox runs 22%!!!!)(I don't have any marmite, however I am informed that the product sold down under as marmite is quite unlike the UK product, which a chef friend informed me is sold in some supermarkets in Australia as "Our Friend". I found some "Our Friend" and it's a lot sweeter than Vegemite.)

In Helsinki - apparantly the best place for decent authentic Russian food. Absolutely fabulous, with nothing more than bread to go with it. Well perhaps the odd shot or two of vodka to wash it down ;-)

In Helsinki - apparantly the best place for decent authentic Russian food. Absolutely fabulous, with nothing more than bread to go with it. Well perhaps the odd shot or two of vodka to wash it down ;-)

Just stay away from those oh so very Russian tourist traps. Expensive and lousy food. If the guest don't speak mostly Russian or Finnish, turn away. Based on bitter $$$ experience. Per